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PIEDMONT FURNACE Piedmont, Calhoun County Begun 1890 THE town of Piedmont in Calhoun County is essentially an agricultural community. It is located, however, near large deposits of brown hematite ore. During Alabama's great "Iron Boom" of the late 1880's, a company was formed which planned to industrialize this agricultural community. This ~ompany, the Piedmont Land and Improvement Company began erection in 1890 of both a cotton mill and a blast furnace . Foundation of both had been laid when the money ran out. The cotton mill was finally completed by another firm but the furnace was abandoned. The Piedmont furnace was to have been 60' x 12' and constructed for the use of charcoal. After the stockhouse was completed and the furnace columns placed the project was abandoned in 1891. As late as 1896 it was predicted in the Alabama Geological Survey report that work would be resumed and "completed in 1896." Shortly after that, however, the plant was dismantled and sold for scrap. The uncompleted Piedmont Furnace is one of the four known plants in the State of Alabama which was either begun or built but which never operated. ...

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